Google My Business Listing - Why You Absolutely Need One
- Nate Chisley
- GOAL: This article is to help understand what an SSL certificate is and where to get an SSL certificate.
What Is Google My Business
Well, here it is, straight from the horse's mouth:
“Google My Business is a free and easy-to-use tool for businesses and organizations to manage their online presence across Google, including Search and Maps. To help customers find your business, and to tell them your story, you can verify your business and edit your business information.” – Google
To elaborate: this free tool, provided by the internet juggernaut Google, is extremely useful and important to the success of your business online. Google My Business is a suite of online services that will amplify your business presence and can act as your storefront and information board. It also allows you to interact with your customers and potential customers. All this can ultimately lead to your business growth and increased profits.
Let’s have a look at the top 10 benefits to having a Google My Business listing.
Top 10 Google My Business Benefits
Improve Google Search Visibility
These days there are so many SEOers professing their ability to get you to the first page, or even to the top of the first page. The fact though is that the best way to boost your visibility in Google Search is to follow the rules and do it the best. And Google sets you up to succeed with your Google My Business listing. The potential for top of the page visibility is impressive.
Free Marketing For Your Business
Did you say FREE? That's right! Free is for me. It's hard to believe that such a comprehensive suite of tools is 100% FREE. And the marketing tools are designed by the company who's responsible for putting you in front of your customer's eyes.
Geared Toward Helping Local Business
It used to be that big business dominated the Google Search landscape. But now everyone is equal with Google Maps and business listings. In fact GMB is aimed at local business and definitely ideal for small local shops and services.
Customers Can Find Your Business On Google Maps
Google My Business directs customers to your physical location on Google Maps. It also knows your latitude and longitude and uses maps to give directions to your visitors. And if you master your listing then you can be at the top of Google Search results.
Displays Useful Information On Your Business
GMB makes it so easy to manage the information that Google users find when they search for your business or the products and services you offer. Information like your hours, website, street address, and more will be displayed when people find your business on Google Maps and Search.
A Direct Line Of Communication For You & Customers
You can read and respond to reviews from your customers. Post photos that show off what you do. The numbers show that businesses that add photos to their GMB profiles receive 42% more requests for directions on Google Maps, and 35% more clicks through to their websites than businesses that don’t.
Valuable Customer Feedback Through Ratings & Reviews
The feedback you receive directly from customers is priceless. This insight can help you to improve your product or service, and ultimately become even better at what you do. These ratings will also point new customers your way So be sure to give the best you can to see more customers recommend you and send more customers your way.
Helps Track & Understand Customers
GMB's Customer Insights section will help you understand your customers better through reports and analytics designed to inspect your customer's habits.
FAQ Section Can Help Answer Customer Questions
The FAQ section provides a central location for your customers to have their questions answered without having to contact you directly. Keeping this section up-to-date will help mitigate unnecessary work for you and/or your employees, and help guide your customers to use your products or services.
Multiple Additional Features For Automation
Your Google My Business listing comes with so many more useful tools that can help you to automate your business marketing efforts. I'm constantly impressed with the features that are included. And all for FREE!
How To Get Your GMB Listing Claimed and/or Optimized
As a self pronounced “Web Pro” I handle any and all things related to the online presence of your business. If you haven’t claimed your Google My Business listing, or if you have and need help optimizing it to do it’s best work for your business, contact me right away and let’s get your business up to speed and your GMB listing working for you!
